POPSUGAR Celebrity

If You Drank This Weekend, You'll Want to Read This

Jul 14 2014 - 2:29am

Think those glasses of wine you had at dinner over the weekend were good for you? Not so fast. A recent study found that reducing the amount you drink is better for your health, even if you're a light drinker.

Many people (us included!) have stuck to the mantra that a glass of wine a night can help prevent heart disease and stroke, but this new study, published in the BMJ, casts doubt on this claim. In it, researchers combed through data from 50 studies on the drinking habits of 260,000 people and found that those who drink 17 percent less alcohol per week have a 10 percent lower risk of heart disease [1] as well as lower blood pressure and lower body mass index (BMI). Previous studies have shown that the resveratrol antioxidant in red wine could have heart-healthy benefits [2], and others have shown that all types of alcohol may benefit the heart as well. This new, large data study, however, just adds more skepticism when it comes to drinking to your health.

Of course, there are more reasons to enjoy a glass of wine or cocktail than just your heart, but this new finding is a great reminder that you shouldn't justify your drinking with health claims. And remember, too much alcohol is definitely never good for your health, no matter how you spin it: a recent study found that binge drinking (defined as five or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women at one time) is the cause of 10 percent of all adult deaths [3] in the United States.